Erik ten Hag 'plotting to axe SIX first-team Manchester United players' as part of major squad overhaul

Erik ten Hag is reportedly preparing for a summer clearout at Manchester United as six first-team Red Devils stars could be sold as part of his squad overhaul.

The United boss has seen a remarkable turnaround at Old Trafford after a rough start to the season, with the Red Devils now in contention for a top-four finish.

Ten Hag, who arrived from Ajax last summer, is also on the verge of lifting his first major piece of silverware with United after leading his side to the League Cup final.

The former Ajax manager recruited heavily in the summer, with Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen arriving at Old Trafford.

According to The Daily Mirror, Ten Hag will continue with his squad revamp in the summer transfer window and six players are currently on the chopping block.

Harry Maguire could be shown the door at the end of the season, with the United captain falling behind Martinez and Raphael Varane in the defensive pecking order.

Another causality in the summer could be Anthony Martial, who has struggled with injuries and a lack of consistency under Ten Hag’s reign.

Ten Hag is keen to add a new attacking option in the summer window, which could leave the 27-year-old Martial playing second fiddle to a new striker.

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Scott McTominay has also struggled for first-team minutes this season, with Ten Hag favouring the effective midfield partnership between Casemiro and Eriksen.

The 26-year-old Scotland midfielder is reportedly part of United’s fire sale alongside fellow club teammates Alex Telles, Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek.

Telles and Bailly have both been loaned out to Sevilla and Marseille respectively, while Van de Beek’s knee injury in January has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

According to reports, Ten Hag wants to sign a new central defender and a midfielder alongside a striker when the summer window opens.

The Dutchman is keen to finish in the top four this season in a bid to offer his new summer signings the prospect of playing in the Champions League next season.